And just like that, the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Per usual, it was a wild and unexpected ride, starting with all the Round 1 action. Day 2 and Day 3 delivered surprises of their own. Some teams capitalized on the opportunity, while others came up short. Let’s take a look at the 2023 NFL Draft recap, analysis, and grades for the New Orleans Saints. NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
- NFL Draft Grades for Every Team
- Thor’s Draft Grades (AFC | NFC)
- NFL Draft Day 1 Winners & Losers (Day 2 | Day 3)
- Fitz’s Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: Dynasty Rookie Draft Outlook (Day 2 | Day 3)
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2023 NFL Draft Recap, Analysis & Grades: New Orleans Saints
NFL Draft analysts Andrew Erickson and Thor Nystrom combine to provide their thoughts below.
Thor Nystrom’s Overview & Grades
New Orleans Saints | Draft Grade: C
| Pick | Team | Position | Rank | Name | School | Comp |
| 29 | Saints | DL3 | 29 | Bryan Bresee | Clemson | Jerry Tillery |
| 40 | Saints | ED9 | 57 | Isaiah Foskey | Notre Dame | Marcus Davenport |
| 71 | Saints | RB13 | 147 | Kendre Miller | TCU | Lamar Miller |
| 103 | Saints | OT10 | 93 | Nick Saldiveri | Old Dominion | Paul McQuistan |
| 127 | Saints | QB6 | 121 | Jake Haener | Fresno State | Brock Purdy |
| 146 | Saints | S19 | 241 | Jordan Howden | Minnesota | Gibril Wilson |
| 195 | Saints | WR11 | 90 | A.T. Perry | Wake Forest | Devante Parker |
Classic hit-it-down-the-fairway draft. Starting with a high-variance selection that was nonetheless qualitatively exactly that: I had Clemson DT Bryan Bresee, the No. 29 pick, exactly No. 29 on my board.
I didn’t love New Orleans’ Friday night. But I will say, contextually, that the Saints were able to get in on the edge-rushing run before the talent in that crop dropped off a shelf. With the depth of the running back class what it was, I’m not able to afford the same benefit of the doubt to using a top-75 pick on RB Kendre Miller.
However, the Saints bounced back with a very strong Saturday. That started at the opening bell with OL Nick Saldiveri. Regardless of whether the Saints view him as a tackle or a guard, Saldiveri was strong value at No. 93.
I also really liked the QB Jake Haener and WR AT Perry picks. Haener isn’t the next Drew Brees. Stop with that. But he could be the next Brock Purdy. Haener is small, and his arm lacks oomph. But he’s a leader who makes quick decisions and takes profits on the field. It wasn’t a surprise that Haener’s leaked S2 score was in the Purdy football-Mensa range.
The NFL apparently soured on Perry because of his mediocre agility. But he was an incredibly productive collegiate receiver who presents problems down the field with his 6-foot-10 wingspan and ball skills.
Andrew Erickson’s Overview & Grades
The Saints needed to revamp their defensive line, and potentially got a STEAL with the 29th pick. Clemson’s Bryan Bresee can transition smoothly into the front and impose his will after he showed out a year removed from torn ACL injury. His 12% pressure rate and pressures per game ranked inside the top five among his 2023 DT class, while his quick pressure rate tied for first. Quick pressure rate is the percentage of pass rushes that resulted in a player generating pressure on a QB in 2.5 seconds or less per Sports Info Solutions. Back in 2020, prior to his injury, Bresee won ACC rookie of the year. In his two fully healthy college seasons, Bresee has been a top-21 PFF-graded interior pass-rusher (including his highest grade in 2022) at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds.
New Orleans doubled down on DL in Round 2, with the addition of Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey. He has 23 sacks over the last two seasons. I love it when teams double down on areas of need in the draft because there’s no guarantee that one rookie will fix the problem.
Although I would have preferred New Orleans went the CB or OL route in Round 3, the looming Alvin Kamara suspension puts running back firmly on their list of priorities. And I am a big fan of TCU’s Kendre Miller, who is my favorite sleeper rusher in the 2023 draft class.
The bell cow back rushed for nearly 1400 yards at 5-foot-11, 215 pounds (identical to Bijan Robinson), and his size is enticing in addition to the efficiency he displayed on a per-play basis at the college level. Miller’s career of 3.14 yards per play ranks fourth best in the class. He’s explosive with the ball in his hands, as indicated by his 21 rushes of 15-plus yards last year (tied for the fifth-highest in the class).
Miller is an ideal 1-2 punch fit with veteran Jamaal Williams should Kamara miss anytime.
NO traded up to the top of Round 4 to boost their offensive line, with Nick Saldiveri. The Old Dominion product finished the 2022 college season as PFF’s third-highest graded pass-blocker (85.1) as the team’s starting right tackle. He will likely kick inside for the Saints.
The Saints added a quarterback. Jake Haener is a seasoned and experienced college QB, that should be able to deliver in spot-start duties based on his above-average accuracy. His completion rate and catchable target percentage rank No. 1 in the 2023 QB Class. He also finished third in passing yards per game (290) in his third and final season at Fresno State.
FINAL DRAFT GRADE: B+
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